Desiccant assembly, system provided with such an assembly, kit for assembling the same, and corresponding methods of manufacturing, assembling and operating associated thereto

ABSTRACT

A desiccant assembly ( 1 ) for processing an air flow ( 3 ) of a ventilation system ( 201 ). The desiccant assembly ( 1 ) includes at least one desiccant panel ( 5 ) having a pair of first and second opposite processing surfaces ( 5   a,    5   b ) disposed about a main containment body ( 5   c ), the containment body ( 5   c ) having a containment volume ( 5   d ) for receiving a plurality of inner desiccant elements ( 7 ), the plurality of inner desiccant elements ( 7 ) being contained inside the containment volume ( 5   d ) of the containment body ( 5   c ) of the at least one desiccant panel ( 5 ), and being positioned, shaped and sized inside the containment volume ( 5   d ) of the containment body ( 5   c ) of the at least one desiccant panel ( 5 ), for interacting with the air flow ( 3 ) of the ventilation system ( 201 ) to be processed, and allowed to pass through said inner desiccant elements ( 7 ) of the at least one desiccant panel ( 5 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of ventilation and air conditioning systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new desiccant assembly, and also relates to a system (ex. ventilation system, air conditioning system, etc.) provided with such a desiccant assembly, as well as to a kit with corresponding components for assembling the same, and to corresponding methods of manufacturing, assembling and/or operating associated thereto. The present patent application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/202,863 dated Jun. 28, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Devices used for conditioning (ex. dehumidifying, etc.) air, such as desiccants, for example, are well known in the art.

For example, known in the art is an alternating flow energy recuperator unit, which relates to the transfer of heat and moisture in the field of ventilation and air conditioning. The recuperator typically consists of two air corridors passing through fin banks. More precisely, in winter for example, the building's warm and humid air exhausted to the outside passes through one of the two fin banks, releasing heat energy to the fin bank. In the meantime, the cold dry air from outside passes through the second bank of fins which has been previously heated. After a predetermined time (normally 20 to 60 seconds), air dampers open and close to alternate the airstream sides. The fin banks are permanently charging or discharging. The hot exhaust air condenses on the fins and the accumulated water is then evaporated into the supply air, allowing the outside air to be humidified and thus lowering energy costs.

In summer, the opposite phenomenon occurs. The outside air is cooled, and the building's exhaust air is warmed up. The phenomenon of condensation, however, disappears since the temperatures are not low enough and the air's dew point temperature is not reached. Dehumidification must therefore be done by another equipment, which usually consists of a cooling coil, further upstream into the ventilation unit. In this coil, a cold heat transfer fluid, usually water, a water-glycol mixture, or a refrigerant such as R-410a, circulates and cools the air passing through it. When the air reaches its dew point, the water in that air condenses and the air is dehumidified. This process of cooling is known as mechanical due to the need of compressors in the system. The energy costs associated with mechanical cooling are significantly high.

Also known in the art, although less widespread in the industry of ventilation, is an alternating flow energy recuperator with aluminum fins coated with desiccant. The general concept is similar to that of a heat recuperator wheel but covered with a desiccant, which also allows to add a transfer of sensible and latent energy. There are many processes for coating aluminum fins with desiccant and most are protected by the companies that developed them. Nonetheless, the desiccant is adhered to the aluminum with a bonding agent similar to glue. By doing so, some of the desiccants are not in contact with the air and thus the pores, which serve to absorb moisture from the air, are blocked by the bonding agent. Another problem with this product is fragility. Indeed, it can easily deteriorate during its manufacture and assembly. According to ASHRAE Fundamentals, this type of equipment has a lifespan between 10,000 and 100,000 hours (1 to 11 years), which is significantly less than the life of the ventilation unit in which it is installed. Replacing such equipment is expensive and difficult, sometimes impossible. The fins are generally large in size and are heavy. It is difficult to install them in the factory despite all the equipment(s) available. On a construction site, usually a mechanical room or a roof, this becomes almost impossible due to the lack of space and lifting equipment such as the overhead cranes used in the factory.

In view of the above and other considerations, there is always a need to continue innovating and finding better and/or different ways of processing (ex. drying, conditioning, purifying, heating/cooling, etc.) air (ex. ambient air inside a building, etc.) and/or a corresponding airflow thereof, and to be able do so, in a quicker, easier, simpler, faster, more efficient, more convenient, more reliable, more versatile, more environment-friendly, more sustainable and/or more desirable manner.

Therefore, it would be particularly useful to be able to provide an improved desiccant assembly which would be able to overcome or at the very least minimize some of known drawbacks associated with conventional ways and devices used for conditioning air, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a desiccant assembly which, by virtue of its design and components, would be an improvement over other related conventional desiccant devices, methods and/or the like known in the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood from the present description, with a desiccant assembly (also referred to herein simply as “desiccant”, desiccant “panel” and/or desiccant “cartridge”) such as the one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the accompanying drawing(s).

More particularly, according to one aspect of the present invention, an object is to provide at least one desiccant panel for processing an air flow of a ventilation system, the desiccant panel comprising a pair of first and second opposite processing surfaces disposed about a main containment body, said containment body having a containment volume for receiving a plurality of inner desiccant elements, said plurality of inner desiccant elements being contained inside the containment volume of the containment body of the at least one desiccant panel, and being positioned, shaped and sized inside the containment volume of the containment body of the at least one desiccant panel, for interacting with the air flow of the ventilation system to be processed, and allowed to pass through said inner desiccant elements of the at least one desiccant panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a desiccant assembly for processing an air flow of a ventilation system, the desiccant assembly comprising:

at least one desiccant panel having a pair of first and second opposite processing surfaces disposed about a main containment body, said containment body having a containment volume for receiving a plurality of inner desiccant elements, said plurality of inner desiccant elements being contained inside the containment volume of the containment body of the at least one desiccant panel, and being positioned, shaped and sized inside the containment volume of the containment body of the at least one desiccant panel, for interacting with the air flow of the ventilation system to be processed, and allowed to pass through said inner desiccant elements of the at least one desiccant panel; and

a supporting component for receiving and supporting the at least one desiccant panel, and for operatively placing said at least one desiccant panel in a fluid passageway of the air flow of the ventilation system to be processed.

The desiccant panel and/or resulting desiccant assembly may include at least one and/or several of the various/different possible components and/or features (and/or different possible combination(s) and/or permutation(s) thereof) being described and/or illustrated in the present patent specification, and/or that could be inferred therefrom by a person skilled in the art.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a desiccant cartridge provided with the above-mentioned desiccant panel and/or assembly.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a system provided with the above-mentioned desiccant panel, assembly and/or cartridge.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing components of the above-mentioned desiccant panel, assembly, cartridge and/or system.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of assembling components of the above-mentioned desiccant panel, assembly, cartridge and/or system.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of using the above-mentioned desiccant panel, assembly, cartridge, system and/or component(s) thereof.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a kit with components for assembling the above-mentioned desiccant panel, assembly, cartridge and/or system.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a set of components for interchanging with components of the above-mentioned kit.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of assembling components of the above-mentioned kit and/or set.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of processing air with the above-mentioned desiccant panel, assembly, cartridge, system, component(s) thereof, kit, set and/or method(s).

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of doing business with the desiccant assembly, system, component(s) thereof, kit, set and/or method(s).

The objects, advantages, and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawing(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a desiccant assembly being provided with a given number of desiccant panels according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, some components (ex. connecting component(s), end cap(s), side tab(s), etc.) of the desiccant assembly being shown removed so as to better illustrate inner components and corresponding containment volume(s) of the desiccant assembly.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a left-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a right-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a desiccant cartridge according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the desiccant cartridge being shown provided with the desiccant assembly and associated desiccant panels illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of at least one desiccant panel including a substantially V-shaped arrangement of neighboring first and second desiccant panels with each desiccant panel being made with inner and outer constituting shell components according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, inner desiccant elements of the at least one desiccant panel being shown removed therefrom so as to better illustrate inner components and corresponding containment volume(s) of said at least one desiccant panel.

FIG. 11 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the outer constituting sheet-material of the at least one desiccant panel shown in FIG. 10 , according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the inner constituting sheet-material of the at least one desiccant panel shown in FIG. 10 , according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a desiccant panel in the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with top and bottom constituting shell components, according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view of a portion of what is shown in FIG. 14 , with the top constituting shell component (ex. sheet-material) of the desiccant panel being shown removed therefrom so as to better illustrate possible inner desiccant elements contained in the containment body and associated volume of the desiccant panel, according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a ventilation system being provided with a desiccant assembly including various separate desiccant panels, according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged side view of a portion of what is shown in FIG. 16 , to better illustrate U-shaped support tracks being positioned, shaped and sized to slidably receive the various separate desiccant panels of the desiccant assembly, according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is another enlarged side view of a portion of what is shown in FIG. 17 , with a given desiccant panel and associated bottommost support rack having been removed to better illustrate remaining components of the desiccant assembly according to this particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, only some figures have been provided with reference numbers, and components and features of the present invention illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification purposes only.

Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for processing (ex. conditioning, drying, dehumidifying, etc.) air, for example, it may be used with other objects and/or in other types of applications, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as “processing”, “conditioning”, “drying”, “dehumidifying”, “air”, etc., used herein should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention and include all other kinds of objects and/or applications with which the present invention could be used and may be useful. For example, the present desiccant assembly (ex. desiccant panel, desiccant cartridge, etc.) could also be used for “cooling” purposes, by reducing relative humidity of air being treated with the present system, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions “desiccant”, “panel”, “assembly”, “cartridge”, “product”, “system”, “device”, “apparatus”, “unit”, “equipment”, “tool”, “method” and “kit”, as well as any other equivalent expression(s) and/or compound word(s) thereof known in the art will be used interchangeably, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. This applies also for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as, for example: a) “processing”, “conditioning”, “drying”, “dehumidifying”, “cooling”, “treating”, “heating” (i.e. opposite of “cooling”), etc.; b) “air”, “fluid”, “flow”, “path”, “passage”, “stream”, etc.; c) “humidity”, “moisture”, “vapor”, “water”, etc.; d) “component”, “piece”, “structure”, “accessory”, etc.; e) “tab”, “protrusion”, “rim”, “wing”, etc.; f) “first”, “front”, “frontward”, “top”, “outer”, etc.; g) “second”, “rear”, “rearward”, “bottom”, “inner”, etc.; h) “fastener”, “rivet”, “pin”, etc.; i) “integral”, “made of one piece”, “made of same piece”, etc.; as well as for any other mutually equivalent expression(s), pertaining to the aforementioned expressions and/or to any other structural and/or functional aspects of the present invention, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art. Also, in the context of the present description, expressions such as “can”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, etc., may also be used interchangeably, whenever appropriate, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Furthermore, in the context of the present description, it will be considered that all elongated objects will have an implicit “longitudinal axis” or “centerline”, such as the longitudinal axis of shaft for example, or the centerline of a coiled spring, for example, and that expressions such as “connected” and “connectable”, or “mounted” and “mountable”, may be interchangeable, in that the present invention also relates to a kit with corresponding components for assembling a resulting fully-assembled and fully-operational desiccant panel, assembly and/or cartridge (and/or resulting system provided with such desiccant panel, assembly and/or cartridge).

Moreover, components of the present system(s) and/or steps of the method(s) described herein could be modified, simplified, altered, omitted and/or interchanged, without departing from the scope of the present invention, depending on the particular applications which the present invention is intended for, and the desired end results, as briefly exemplified herein and as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise various components, and although the preferred embodiments of the present desiccant assembly and corresponding portion(s)/part(s)/component(s) as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations, as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the present desiccant assembly and corresponding portion(s)/part(s)/component(s) according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES FOR SOME OF THE CORRESPONDING POSSIBLE COMPONENTS ILLUSTRATED IN THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)

-   -   1. desiccant assembly (ex. including at least one desiccant         panel)     -   3. air flow (ex. bidirectional air flow, alternating air flow,         etc.)     -   3 a. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 1^(st)         desiccant panel)     -   3 b. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 2^(nd)         desiccant panel)     -   3 c. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 3^(rd)         desiccant panel)     -   3 d. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 4^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   3 e. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 5^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   3 f. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 6^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   3 g. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 7^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   3 h. longitudinal axis (of air flow) (ex. entering 8^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   5. desiccant panel     -   5 a. first processing surface (of desiccant panel)     -   5 b. second processing surface (of desiccant panel)     -   5 c. containment body (of desiccant panel)     -   5 d. containment volume (of desiccant panel)     -   5 e. tab(s) (of desiccant panel)     -   5 o. orifice(s) (of desiccant panel)     -   7. desiccant element(s) (ex. inner desiccant element(s)     -   9. supporting component (ex. frame, bracket, etc.)     -   9 a. first “side” panel/plate (and/or “end” panel/plate, etc.)     -   9 b. second “side” panel/plate (and/or “end” panel/plate, etc.)     -   9 c. “top” panel/plate (and/or “end” panel/plate, etc.)     -   9 d. “bottom” panel/plate (and/or “end” panel/plate, etc.)     -   11. surface area (of processing surface of desiccant panel)     -   13. connecting component (ex. between panels)     -   13 a. integrated connecting component     -   13 b. separate connecting component     -   13 o. orifice(s) (of connecting component)     -   51. first shell component (of the at least one panel)     -   52. second shell component (of the at least one panel)     -   111. desiccant cartridge     -   201. ventilation system (ex. provided with desiccant         panel/assembly, etc.)     -   θ. angle (ex. between imaginary longitudinal axis of air flow         and a given processing surface of an associated desiccant panel)     -   θa. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 a and 1^(st)         desiccant panel)     -   θb. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 b and 2^(nd)         desiccant panel)     -   θc. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 c and 3^(rd)         desiccant panel)     -   θd. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 d and 4^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   θe. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 e and 5^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   θf. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 f and 6^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   θg. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 g and 7^(th)         desiccant panel)     -   θh. angle (ex. between longitudinal axis 3 h and 8^(th)         desiccant panel)

Broadly described, and as better exemplified in the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to a desiccant assembly (1) (ex. a desiccant panel (5), a desiccant cartridge (111), etc.) capable of “processing” (ex. “conditioning”, “drying”, “dehumidifying”, “cooling”, etc.) air, and to be used in a corresponding ventilation system (201), such as an alternating flow energy recuperator for HVAC application, for example.

More particularly, and according to a possible embodiment, the present product may come in the form of desiccant panel (5), assembly (1) and/or cartridge (111), capable of being integrated (ex. slid, inserted, mounted, installed, etc.) into a corresponding ventilation system (201), such as an alternating flow energy recuperator unit, for example, which, as previously explained, relates to the transfer of moisture in the field of ventilation and air conditioning. Indeed, and as also previously explained, the recuperator typically consists of two air corridors passing through fin banks. More precisely, in winter for example, the building's warm and humid air exhausted to the outside passes through one of the two fin banks, releasing heat energy to the fin bank. In the meantime, the cold dry air from outside passes through the second bank of fins which has been previously heated. After a predetermined time (normally 20 to 60 seconds), air dampers open and close to alternate the airstream sides. The fin banks are permanently charging or discharging. The hot exhaust air condenses on the fins and the accumulated water is then evaporated into the supply air, allowing the outside air to be humidified and thus lowering energy costs.

In summer, the opposite phenomenon occurs. The outside air is cooled, and the building's exhaust air is warmed up. The phenomenon of condensation, however, disappears since the temperatures are not low enough and the air's dew point temperature is not reached. Dehumidification must therefore be done by another equipment, which usually consists of a cooling coil, further upstream into the ventilation unit. In this coil, a cold heat transfer fluid, usually water, a water-glycol mixture, or a refrigerant such as R-410a, circulates and cools the air passing through it. When the air reaches its dew point, the water in that air condenses and the air is dehumidified. This process of cooling is known as mechanical due to the need of compressors in the system. The energy costs associated with mechanical cooling are significantly high.

Another way to dehumidify the summer outdoor air is with the use of desiccants. This material typically consists of silica gel or molecular sieve when in the solid form. They are highly porous and have the property of absorbing moisture in the air when the vapor pressure on their surface is lower than the vapor pressure of the water in the air. When the humidity is high, the desiccants have a higher absorption capacity, and the transfer occurs faster. In the opposite situation, when the humidity is higher in the desiccant than in the air, this moisture is transferred to the air. The primary mechanism of moisture transfer with these types of agents is physical absorption through water vapor pressure differential. Chemical reactions are also responsible for the transfer of moisture with other types of desiccants.

These desiccants are widely used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals and packaging supplies. They are often in rayon (cellulose) or polyester fabric bags and are installed directly into the packaged products such as, for example, in a shoe box. It is the small bag inscribed: “Silica gel, do not eat.»

In the ventilation field, desiccant is used in both liquid and solid forms. In the case of the liquid desiccant, commonly used solutions are calcium chloride (CaCl2), lithium chloride (LiCl) or potassium phosphate (KCOOH). However, in industrial systems, these products are mostly used to dehumidify the process air. In our case, the air to be dehumidified is the one supplied to the ventilation systems of commercial and institutional buildings.

Two products already exist for this application. The most common is the dehumidification wheel. This equipment replaces the alternating flow energy recuperator entirely rather than just the desiccant cartridges. It is the same concept as a heat wheel, but the wheel is made of or coated with a desiccant. A thermal wheel works with two air flows each passing through a different tunnel with a common wheel rotating in the direction perpendicular to the ducts. As with the recuperator described above, the building's air transfers its energy to the wheel which will then transfer this energy to the fresh outside air (in winter). The opposite phenomenon occurs in summer. In the case of a dehumidification wheel, rather than having an aluminum-only wheel, the wheel is built or coated with a desiccant. This wheel is used to transfer latent energy from one airstream to another. The warm, humid air outside is dehumidified while the wheel is humidified. The wheel then transfers its moisture to the building's drier exhaust air. In the case of a dehumidification wheel, the air is heated before passing through the wheel, increasing the humidity transferred to the exhaust air. Heating the air, on the other hand, requires energy. However, it is more energy efficient to remove moisture this way than by condensation, as described above. Enthalpy wheels can also achieve the same results, but without preheating the exhaust air. The energy cost is lower, but so is the moisture transfer. The advantage of not preheating the air is that this heat is not transferred to the supply air, which will need to be cooled later.

The second product, an alternating flow energy recuperator with aluminum fins coated with desiccant, less widespread in the industry, is closer to our invention. It is the same concept as a heat recuperator wheel but covered with a desiccant, which also allows to add a transfer of sensible and latent energy. There are many processes for coating aluminum fins with desiccant and most are protected by the companies that developed them. Nonetheless, the desiccant is adhered to the aluminum with a bonding agent similar to glue. By doing so, some of the desiccants are not in contact with the air and thus the pores, which serve to absorb moisture from the air, are blocked by the bonding agent. Another problem with this product is fragility. Indeed, it can easily deteriorate during its manufacture and assembly. According to ASHRAE Fundamentals, this type of equipment has a lifespan between 10,000 and 100,000 hours (1 to 11 years), which is significantly less than the life of the ventilation unit in which it is installed. Replacing such equipment is expensive and difficult, sometimes impossible. The fins are generally large in size and are heavy. It is difficult to install them in the factory despite all the equipment(s) available. On a construction site, usually a mechanical room or a roof, this becomes almost impossible due to the lack of space and lifting equipment such as the overhead cranes used in the factory.

With the present invention, equipment is added to the alternating flow recuperator. This is a cartridge filled with beads of desiccant, after the fins of the recuperator. The building's cooler and drier exhaust air relieves the cartridges of its moisture. As with the fins, the process is repeated at each cycle varying from 20 to 60 seconds. This is an addition to the recuperator.

The desiccant inside the cartridges consists of 3 Angstrom(s) (i.e. “3 Å”) molecular sieve beads. This type of agent contains a multitude of pores that can capture water molecules in the air. Unlike with silica gel, the predominantly used desiccant, the 3 Å pores only absorb water molecules and not air contaminants. As the air passes through the beads, ranging in diameters between about 3 mm and 5 mm, the air is in direct contact with the desiccant, which is not the case with coated fins, as previously described. Also, the beads are less fragile than the desiccant coated fins which tend to crumble.

The cartridge design is made to maximize air contact with the beads, while minimizing air pressure loss (see the images below). The air passing through the beads can have high-pressure losses, but, by decreasing its speed, the pressure loss decreases dramatically. With the present invention, the cartridges are made of two perforated plates and the beads are inserted between these plates in order to be retained. These plates are made by bending them so that they are at an angle with the direction of the air. The angles increase the surface area of the air, thus decreasing its speed which results in a lower pressure loss. The angles also increase the volume of the desiccant.

The cartridges are located downstream of the fins on the supply side and therefore upstream on the discharge side. The estimated performance is relatively similar on one side or the other. However, by installing them on supply side, the cold air in winter is warmed by the fins before passing through the cartridges. This prevents the beads from freezing and shattering if they contain moisture.

The present invention allows the transfer of about 70% absolute humidity under standard summer conditions, i.e. an outside temperature of 90° F. with 50% relative humidity and a return of about 75° F. with 50% relative humidity. The pressure losses are about 0.3″ of water with face velocities of about 400 feet per minute. The cartridge design allows for quick and easy installation. It also allows these cartridges to be easily removed for maintenance, cleaning, or replacement, without having to replace the aluminum fins if they were coated with desiccant. The cartridges can also be added later if the need arises and there is sufficient space. The cost of such a system is much lower than with fins coated with desiccant, the latter requiring a complex manufacturing process to coat the aluminum and more desiccant agent.

It is believed that the addition of this equipment will have no impact in winter since the transfer of humidity is done by condensation (as explained hereinabove). It is also believed that the sensible energy transfer will be increased, but to a negligible extent.

As can now be better appreciated, and as can be easily understood and/or easily inferred from the present patent application and accompanying drawings, the present desiccant assembly (1) may come in the form of a desiccant assembly (1) including one and/or several of the following possible components and features (and/or different possible combination(s) and/or permutation(s) thereof):

-   i.) A desiccant assembly (1) for processing an air flow (3) of a     ventilation system (201), the desiccant assembly (1) comprising:

at least one desiccant panel (5) having a pair of first and second opposite processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) disposed about a main containment body (5 c), said containment body (5 c) having a containment volume (5 d) for receiving a plurality of inner desiccant elements (7), said plurality of inner desiccant elements (7) being contained inside the containment volume (5 d) of the containment body (5 c) of the at least one desiccant panel (5), and being positioned, shaped and sized inside the containment volume (5 d) of the containment body (5 c) of the at least one desiccant panel (5), for interacting with the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, and allowed to pass through said inner desiccant elements (7) of the at least one desiccant panel (5); and

a supporting component (9) for receiving and supporting the at least one desiccant panel (5), and for operatively placing said at least one desiccant panel (5) in a fluid passageway of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed.

-   ii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first processing surface (5 a) of the at     least one desiccant panel (5) has a surface area being substantially     equivalent to a corresponding surface area of the second processing     surface (5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5). -   iii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are substantially     parallel to one another. -   iv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are substantially     rectangular. -   v.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are provided by     corresponding constituting frontward and rearward plates of the at     least one desiccant panel (5). -   vi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) is made     of at least first and second shell components (51, 52) being     assembled onto one another so as define the main containment body (5     c) and associated containment volume (5 d) of the at least one     desiccant panel (5) for receiving and containing the plurality of     inner desiccant elements (7) therein. -   vii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second shell components (51,     52) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) include overlapping side     tabs (5 e) being assembled onto one another via corresponding     fasteners (ex. rivets, etc.). -   viii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one desiccant panel     (5) is substantially V-shaped, and wherein the first and second     shell components (51, 52) of the at least one desiccant panel (5)     are respectively complementary outer and inner shell components of     the at least one desiccant panel (5). -   ix.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) is in     the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and wherein     the first and second shell components (51, 52) of the at least one     desiccant panel (5) are respectively opposite top and bottom shell     components of the at least one desiccant panel (5). -   x.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) include orifices (5     o), so to as be perforated, for allowing the air flow (3) of the     ventilation system (201) to be processed, to pass through     corresponding orifices (5 o) of said first and second perforated     processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b). -   xi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein each of the first and second processing     surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) has a     total surface area being made up of both a perforated surface area     and a closed-off surface area, and wherein the perforated surface     area represents at least 20% approximately of the total surface area     of each processing surface of the at least one desiccant panel (5). -   xii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are placed at an     operating angle (θ) with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis     of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed,     so as to expose the air flow (3) to an increased effective total     processing surface area. -   xiii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the first and second processing     surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are each     provided by a substantially rigid sheet-material being part of the     at least one desiccant panel (5). -   xiv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are both provided by     a same constituting material of the at least one desiccant panel     (5). -   xv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first processing surface (5 a) of the at     least one desiccant panel (5) is integral to the second processing     surface (5 b) of said at least one desiccant panel (5). -   xvi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5     a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are made of a     substantially metallic material. -   xvii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the substantially metallic     material includes a metallic component selected from a group     consisting of aluminum, stainless steel and galvanized steel     (although other possible materials, such as composite materials     and/or polymeric materials, for example, are also contemplated by     the present system). -   xviii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one desiccant panel     (5) includes a plurality of desiccant panels (5), and wherein each     corresponding desiccant panel (5) is placed at an operating angle     (θ) with respect to a corresponding imaginary longitudinal axis of     the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, so     as to expose the air flow (3) to an increased effective total     processing surface area. -   xix.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the plurality of desiccant panels (5) form     an arrangement of desiccant panels (5) with alternating operating     angles with respect to different imaginary longitudinal axes of the     air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed. -   xx.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the alternating operating angles include     operating angles that are substantially constant in nominal value     within the arrangement of desiccant panels (5), from one alternating     angle (θ) being defined between an imaginary longitudinal axis with     respect to its associated desiccated panel (5), to another     alternating angle (θ) being defined between another imaginary     longitudinal axis with respect to its associated desiccated panel     (5). -   xxi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the alternating operating angles include     operating angles (θ) that are substantially variable in nominal     value within the arrangement of desiccant panels (5), from one     alternating angle (θ) being defined between an imaginary     longitudinal axis with respect to its associated desiccated panel     (5), to another alternating angle (θ) being defined between another     imaginary longitudinal axis with respect to its associated     desiccated panel (5). -   xxii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant     panels (5) includes a substantially V-shaped arrangement of     desiccant panels (5). -   xxiii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant     panels (5) includes a substantially W-shaped arrangement of     desiccant panels (5). -   xxiv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant     panels (5) includes a substantially zigzag-shaped arrangement of     desiccant panels (5). -   xxv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5)     includes a first series of slanted desiccant panels (5) being     operatively connectable to one another. -   xxvi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant     panels (5) includes a first series of slanted desiccant panels (5)     being separate from one another. -   xxvii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the desiccant panels (5) of the     first series of slanted desiccant panels (5) are substantially     parallel to one another. -   xxviii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant     panels (5) includes a second series of slanted desiccant panels (5)     being operatively connectable to one another. -   xxix.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the desiccant panels (5) of the     second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) are further     operatively connectable to the desiccant panels (5) of the first     series of slanted desiccant panels (5). -   xxx.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5)     includes a second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) being     separate from one another. -   xxxi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the desiccant panels (5) of the     second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) are substantially     parallel to one another. -   xxxii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein a given pair of neighboring     desiccant panels (5) is operatively connectable to one another via     at least one connecting component (13). -   xxxiii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) include orifices (13 o), so to as be perforated, for     allowing the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be     processed, to pass through corresponding orifices (13 o) of the at     least one connecting component (13). -   xxxiv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) is integral to at least one of the neighboring     desiccant panels (5). -   xxxv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) is integral to both the neighboring desiccant panels     (5). -   xxxvi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) is separate to both the neighboring desiccant panels     (5). -   xxxvi) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) includes a substantially U-shaped bracket, and is     further positioned, shaped and sized for slidably receiving a     corresponding peripheral edge of one desiccant panel (5) of the     given pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5). -   xxxviii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) includes at least one first connecting component (13)     having a rounded outer surface operatively interconnecting the first     processing surface (5 a) of one desiccant panel (5) of the pair of     neighboring desiccant panels (5) to the first processing surface (5     a) of another desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring     desiccant panels (5). -   xxxix.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting     component (13) includes at least one second connecting component     (13) having a rounded outer surface operatively interconnecting the     second processing surface (5 b) of one desiccant panel (5) of the     pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5) to the second processing     surface (5 b) of another desiccant panel (5) of the pair of     neighboring desiccant panels (5). -   xl.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the at least one second connecting component     (13) further includes a rounded inner surface operatively     interconnecting the first processing surface (5 a) of one desiccant     panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5) to the     first processing surface (5 a) of another desiccant panel (5) of the     pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5). -   xli.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the at least one connecting component (13)     also includes a containment volume (5 d) being provided with a     plurality of inner desiccant elements (7) being positioned, shaped     and sized inside said containment volume (5 d) of the at least one     connecting component (13) for interacting with the air flow (3) of     the ventilation system (201) to be processed. -   xlii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the containment volume (5 d) and     associated inner desiccant elements (7) of the at least one     connecting component (13) are operatively connected to the     containment volumes (5 d) and associated inner desiccant elements     (7) of the given pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5). -   xliii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the plurality of desiccant panels     (5) are part of a corresponding desiccant cartridge (111) being     positioned, shaped and sized to be removably insertable into a     corresponding component of the ventilation system (201). -   xliv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the desiccant cartridge (111)     includes a pair of distal side panels (9 a, 9 b). -   xlv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the desiccant cartridge (111) includes a     pair of top and bottom plates (9 c, 9 d), which along with the pair     of distal side panels (9 a, 9 b), define a substantially rectangular     desiccant cartridge (111). -   xlvi.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the inner desiccant elements (7)     contained in the at least one desiccant panel (5) include desiccant     particles. -   xlvii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the inner desiccant elements (7)     contained in the at least one desiccant panel (5) include molecular     sieve beads having pores of about 3 Angstroms (3 Å) so as to     selectively capture water molecules into said molecular sieve beads. -   xlviii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the inner desiccant elements (7)     contained in the at least one desiccant panel (5) include molecular     sieve pellets having pores of about 3 Angstroms (3 Å) so as to     selectively capture water molecules into said molecular sieve     pellets. -   xlix.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the inner desiccant elements (7)     have a diameter ranging between about 3 mm and about 5 mm. -   l.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the inner desiccant elements (7) are made of     silica gel.

li.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes at least one cross-sectional interface through which the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed is allowed to travel, and wherein a total surface area of one of the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) is about 2.5 times that of a total surface area of the at least one cross-sectional interface of the desiccant assembly (1).

-   lii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes opposite     first and second cross-sectional interfaces through which the air     flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed is allowed     to travel along two opposite directions of air flow (3), and wherein     a total surface area of the first processing surface (5 a) of the at     least one desiccant panel (5) is about 2.5 times that of a total     surface area of the first cross-sectional interface of the desiccant     assembly (1), and wherein a total surface area of the second     processing surface (5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) is     about 2.5 times that of a total surface area of the second     cross-sectional interface of the desiccant assembly (1). -   liii.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the     preceding combination(s), wherein the first and second processing     surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are     positioned, shaped and sized for allowing a processing of the air     flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) along the two opposite     directions of air flow (3). -   liv.) A desiccant assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding     combination(s), wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) and     associated inner desiccant elements (7) are positioned, shaped and     sized with respect to one another so as to enable the air flow (3)     of the ventilation system (201) to be processed to travel trough the     desiccant assembly (1) at a speed of at least 100 feet/minute, and     preferably, at a speed of at least 125 feet/minute, and more     preferably, at a speed of at least 150 feet/minute. -   lv.) A desiccant panel for use with a desiccant assembly (1)     according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the     desiccant panel comprises a pair of first and second opposite     processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) disposed about a main containment     body (5 c), said containment body (5 c) having a containment volume     (5 d) for receiving a plurality of inner desiccant elements (7),     said plurality of inner desiccant elements (7) being contained     inside the containment volume (5 d) of the containment body (5 c) of     the at least one desiccant panel (5), and being positioned, shaped     and sized inside the containment volume (5 d) of the containment     body (5 c) of the at least one desiccant panel (5), for interacting     with the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be     processed, and allowed to pass through said inner desiccant elements     (7) of the at least one desiccant panel (5). -   lvi.) A kit with corresponding components for assembling a desiccant     assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s). -   lvii.) A ventilation system (201) comprising at least one desiccant     assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s).

As can now be better appreciated, the present desiccant approach (ex. panel (5), assembly (1), cartridge (111), etc.) is very advantageous in that, contrary to desiccant-coated fins that are complicated, long and very costly to manufacture, install and/or maintain, the present system allows desiccant panel(s) (5) to be easily, quickly, conveniently and inexpensively assembled and installed, while ensuring an improved processing capability of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed.

Indeed, according to one possible embodiment of the present system, sheet material (ex. sheet metal, etc.) can be easily, quickly, conveniently and inexpensively cut-out and bent, and closed-off with side tabs (5 e) and/or corresponding fasteners (ex. rivets, etc.), so as to create a corresponding resulting desiccant panel (5) destined to receive and contain corresponding internal desiccant elements (7) therein. Furthermore, the use of sheet material (ex. sheet metal, etc.) for the panel(s) (5), for example, is also very advantageous in that, contrary to desiccant-coated fins which are also very heavy, sheet material (ex. sheet metal, etc.) enables to have a resulting desiccant panel(s) (5) that is(are) lightweight, which is very desirable for transportation purposes and/or when the desiccant panel(s) (5) need(s) to be brought to the top of a building (for example), where the major components (ex. fans, etc.) of the ventilation system (201) may be located, etc.

Furthermore, the fact of providing “slanted” (ex. angled, etc.) desiccant panel(s) (5) against an air flow (3) of a ventilation system (201) to be processed enables to expose said air flow (3) to an “increased operative processing area”, for an increased processing capability of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, while enabling also a “reduced speed” of the air to be processed, which advantageously “minimizes pressure loss” within the ventilation system (201). Indeed, by increasing the operative processing area through which the air to be processed has to “pass through” (ex. due to the provision of “slanted” (ex. angled, etc.) desiccant panel(s) (5), etc.), this in turn decreases its flow speed, and thus, in turn, reduces a possible pressure loss, which is also very desirable, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

Additionally, the present desiccant approach (ex. panel (5), assembly (1), cartridge (111), etc.) is also advantageous in that the panel(s), contrary to desiccant-coated fins, may be easily inspected, cleaned, maintained, repaired and/or replaced. Indeed, according to one possible embodiment of the present system, the desiccant assembly (and/or associated components, such as desiccant panel(s) (5), desiccant cartridge (111), etc.) can be easily, quickly and conveniently insertable into (and thus, conversely, easily removeable from) a corresponding component of the ventilation system (201). According to another possible embodiment of the present system, where the desiccant panel(s) (5) are simply insertable about (ex. into, along, etc.) corresponding support “slots” (ex. U-shaped slots, etc.), this also makes for a very easy, quick, convenient and inexpensive way of installing, inspection, cleaning, maintenance and/or replacement of the present desiccant system (ex. panel (5), assembly (1), cartridge (111), etc.).

As can now be better appreciated, the present desiccant approach (ex. panel (5), assembly (1), cartridge (111), etc.) is also advantageous in that, due to the “alternating” nature of the ventilation system (201) that it is meant to be used with, the “back-and-forth” of alternating air flows (3) provide the desiccant assembly (1) (and/or associated components, such as desiccant panel(s) (5), desiccant cartridge (111), etc.) with a “self-cleaning” feature due to the “backwash” created by each associated alternating air flow (3), as can also be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

The present desiccant approach (ex. panel (5), assembly (1), cartridge (111), etc.) is also particularly advantageous in that the internal desiccant elements (7) are, according to one possible embodiment, configured to capture water molecules only (namely, due to the dimensional choice of the pores of the type of internal desiccant elements (7) being used, etc.), and thus, little and/or no contamination of the internal desiccant elements (7) occurs because, other unwanted molecules are meant to simply not be allowed to enter into the internal desiccant elements (7), thereby further reducing and/or virtually eliminating any “maintenance work” (ex. “cleaning”, etc.) being required for the present desiccant system (ex. panel (5), assembly (1), cartridge (111), etc.), while enabling to maintain constant and/or high levels of processing of air, which is very desirable, for many obvious reasons.

As can be easily understood, in addition to the various innovative components and features of the present system, and explained and/or exemplified in the present patent specification, the desiccant assembly (1) according to the present invention could also be provided with various other known components and features of other conventional desiccant devices, materials and/or the like being well known (ex. display, electronics, safety features, etc.), as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

As may now be better appreciated, the present desiccant assembly (1) is a considerable improvement over conventional systems in that, and as explained hereinabove, it allows the transfer of about 70% absolute humidity under standard summer conditions, i.e. an outside temperature of 90° F. with 50% relative humidity and a return of 75° F. with 50% relative humidity. The pressure losses are about 0.3″ of water with face velocities of 400 feet per minute. The cartridge (111) design allows for quick and easy installation. It also allows these cartridges (111) to be easily removed for maintenance, cleaning, or replacement, without having to replace the aluminum fins if they were coated with desiccant. The cartridges (111) can also be added later if the need arises and there is sufficient space. The cost of such a system is much lower than with fins coated with desiccant, the latter requiring a complex manufacturing process to coat the aluminum and more desiccant agent.

Furthermore, the present desiccant assembly (1) is advantageous in that it offers an innovative design with minimal components that can be modular and/or interchangeable depending on the applications(s) for which the desiccant assembly (1) is intended for, and the desired end result(s), and to be able to do so in a safe, clean, simple, compact, convenient and cost-effective manner.

The present desiccant assembly (1) and corresponding parts are preferably made of substantially rigid materials, such as metallic materials, hardened polymers, composite materials, polymeric materials, and/or the like, so as to ensure a proper operation thereof depending on the particular applications for which the desiccant assembly (1) is intended and the different parameters (loads, temperatures, etc.) in cause, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Of course, and as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the possible embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been briefly described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various changes and modifications could be made without departing form the scope and spirit of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims and as apparent to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A desiccant assembly (1) for processing an air flow (3) of a ventilation system (201), the desiccant assembly (1) comprising: at least one desiccant panel (5) having a pair of first and second opposite processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) disposed about a main containment body (5 c), said containment body (5 c) having a containment volume (5 d) for receiving a plurality of inner desiccant elements (7), said plurality of inner desiccant elements (7) being contained inside the containment volume (5 d) of the containment body (5 c) of the at least one desiccant panel (5), and being positioned, shaped and sized inside the containment volume (5 d) of the containment body (5 c) of the at least one desiccant panel (5), for interacting with the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, and allowed to pass through said inner desiccant elements (7) of the at least one desiccant panel (5); and a supporting component (9) for receiving and supporting the at least one desiccant panel (5), and for operatively placing said at least one desiccant panel (5) in a fluid passageway of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed.
 2. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first processing surface (5 a) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) has a surface area being substantially equivalent to a corresponding surface area of the second processing surface (5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5); wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are substantially parallel to one another; and wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are substantially rectangular.
 3. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are provided by corresponding constituting frontward and rearward plates of the at least one desiccant panel (5); wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) is made of at least first and second shell components (51, 52) being assembled onto one another so as define the main containment body (5 c) and associated containment volume (5 d) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) for receiving and containing the plurality of inner desiccant elements (7) therein; and wherein the first and second shell components (51, 52) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) include overlapping side tabs (5 e) being assembled onto one another via corresponding fasteners.
 4. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) is substantially V-shaped, and wherein the first and second shell components (51, 52) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are respectively complementary outer and inner shell components of the at least one desiccant panel (5).
 5. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) is in the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and wherein the first and second shell components (51, 52) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are respectively opposite top and bottom shell components of the at least one desiccant panel (5).
 6. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) include orifices (5 o), so to as be perforated, for allowing the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, to pass through corresponding orifices (5 o) of said first and second perforated processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b).
 7. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein each of the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) has a total surface area being made up of both a perforated surface area and a closed-off surface area, and wherein the perforated surface area represents at least 20% approximately of the total surface area of each processing surface of the at least one desiccant panel (5).
 8. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are placed at an operating angle (θ) with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, so as to expose the air flow (3) to an increased effective total processing surface area.
 9. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are each provided by a substantially rigid sheet-material being part of the at least one desiccant panel (5); wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are both provided by a same constituting material of the at least one desiccant panel (5); wherein the first processing surface (5 a) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) is integral to the second processing surface (5 b) of said at least one desiccant panel (5); wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are made of a substantially metallic material; and wherein the substantially metallic material includes a metallic component selected from a group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel and galvanized steel.
 10. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 7, the desiccant assembly (1) includes at least one of the following: wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) includes a plurality of desiccant panels (5), and wherein each corresponding desiccant panel (5) is placed at an operating angle (θ) with respect to a corresponding imaginary longitudinal axis of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, so as to expose the air flow (3) to an increased effective total processing surface area; wherein the plurality of desiccant panels (5) form an arrangement of desiccant panels (5) with alternating operating angles with respect to different imaginary longitudinal axes of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed; wherein the alternating operating angles include operating angles that are substantially constant in nominal value within the arrangement of desiccant panels (5), from one alternating angle (θ) being defined between an imaginary longitudinal axis with respect to its associated desiccated panel (5), to another alternating angle (θ) being defined between another imaginary longitudinal axis with respect to its associated desiccated panel (5); and wherein the alternating operating angles include operating angles (θ) that are substantially variable in nominal value within the arrangement of desiccant panels (5), from one alternating angle (θ) being defined between an imaginary longitudinal axis with respect to its associated desiccated panel (5), to another alternating angle (θ) being defined between another imaginary longitudinal axis with respect to its associated desiccated panel (5).
 11. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5) includes either a substantially V-shaped arrangement of desiccant panels (5); a substantially W-shaped arrangement of desiccant panels (5); and/or a substantially zigzag-shaped arrangement of desiccant panels (5).
 12. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes at least one of the following: wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5) includes a first series of slanted desiccant panels (5) being operatively connectable to one another; wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5) includes a first series of slanted desiccant panels (5) being separate from one another; wherein the desiccant panels (5) of the first series of slanted desiccant panels (5) are substantially parallel to one another; wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5) includes a second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) being operatively connectable to one another; wherein the desiccant panels (5) of the second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) are further operatively connectable to the desiccant panels (5) of the first series of slanted desiccant panels (5); wherein the arrangement of desiccant panels (5) includes a second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) being separate from one another; wherein the desiccant panels (5) of the second series of slanted desiccant panels (5) are substantially parallel to one another; and wherein a given pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5) is operatively connectable to one another via at least one connecting component (13).
 13. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one connecting component (13) include orifices (13 o), so to as be perforated, for allowing the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed, to pass through corresponding orifices (13 o) of the at least one connecting component (13).
 14. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one connecting component (13) is integral to at least one of the neighboring desiccant panels (5); wherein the at least one connecting component (13) is integral to both the neighboring desiccant panels (5); and/or wherein the at least one connecting component (13) is separate to both the neighboring desiccant panels (5).
 15. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one connecting component (13) includes a substantially U-shaped bracket, and is further positioned, shaped and sized for slidably receiving a corresponding peripheral edge of one desiccant panel (5) of the given pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5).
 16. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes at least one of the following: wherein the at least one connecting component (13) includes at least one first connecting component (13) having a rounded outer surface operatively interconnecting the first processing surface (5 a) of one desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5) to the first processing surface (5 a) of another desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5); wherein the at least one connecting component (13) includes at least one second connecting component (13) having a rounded outer surface operatively interconnecting the second processing surface (5 b) of one desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5) to the second processing surface (5 b) of another desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5); wherein the at least one second connecting component (13) further includes a rounded inner surface operatively interconnecting the first processing surface (5 a) of one desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5) to the first processing surface (5 a) of another desiccant panel (5) of the pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5); wherein the at least one connecting component (13) also includes a containment volume (5 d) being provided with a plurality of inner desiccant elements (7) being positioned, shaped and sized inside said containment volume (5 d) of the at least one connecting component (13) for interacting with the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed; and wherein the containment volume (5 d) and associated inner desiccant elements (7) of the at least one connecting component (13) are operatively connected to the containment volumes (5 d) and associated inner desiccant elements (7) of the given pair of neighboring desiccant panels (5).
 17. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of desiccant panels (5) are part of a corresponding desiccant cartridge (111) being positioned, shaped and sized to be removably insertable into a corresponding component of the ventilation system (201); wherein the desiccant cartridge (111) includes a pair of distal side panels (9 a, 9 b); and wherein the desiccant cartridge (111) includes a pair of top and bottom plates (9 c, 9 d), which along with the pair of distal side panels (9 a, 9 b), define a substantially rectangular desiccant cartridge (111).
 18. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes at least one of the following: wherein the inner desiccant elements (7) contained in the at least one desiccant panel (5) include desiccant particles; wherein the inner desiccant elements (7) contained in the at least one desiccant panel (5) include molecular sieve beads having pores of about 3 Angstroms (3 Å) so as to selectively capture water molecules into said molecular sieve beads; wherein the inner desiccant elements (7) contained in the at least one desiccant panel (5) include molecular sieve pellets having pores of about 3 Angstroms (3 Å) so as to selectively capture water molecules into said molecular sieve pellets; wherein the inner desiccant elements (7) have a diameter ranging between about 3 mm and about 5 mm; and wherein the inner desiccant elements (7) are made of silica gel.
 19. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes at least one cross-sectional interface through which the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed is allowed to travel, and wherein a total surface area of one of the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) is about 2.5 times that of a total surface area of the at least one cross-sectional interface of the desiccant assembly (1); wherein the desiccant assembly (1) includes opposite first and second cross-sectional interfaces through which the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed is allowed to travel along two opposite directions of air flow (3), and wherein a total surface area of the first processing surface (5 a) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) is about 2.5 times that of a total surface area of the first cross-sectional interface of the desiccant assembly (1), and wherein a total surface area of the second processing surface (5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) is about 2.5 times that of a total surface area of the second cross-sectional interface of the desiccant assembly (1); and wherein the first and second processing surfaces (5 a, 5 b) of the at least one desiccant panel (5) are positioned, shaped and sized for allowing a processing of the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) along the two opposite directions of air flow (3).
 20. A desiccant assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one desiccant panel (5) and associated inner desiccant elements (7) are positioned, shaped and sized with respect to one another so as to enable the air flow (3) of the ventilation system (201) to be processed to travel trough the desiccant assembly (1) at a speed of at least 100 feet/minute, and preferably, at a speed of at least 125 feet/minute, and more preferably, at a speed of at least 150 feet/minute. 